A serious property accident can leave you dealing with painful injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and uncertainty about your legal rights. Andrew S. Maze provides experienced legal guidance for individuals injured due to unsafe property conditions throughout Edison Township and surrounding communities. As trusted slip and fall injury lawyers in Edison Township & Middlesex County, NJ, we help injured victims pursue compensation after accidents caused by negligent property owners.
Serving New Jersey clients after a municipal slip & fall accidentAs pedestrians, we walk the streets, sidewalks, parking facilities, and any other walking surface with the hope that the property owner will take every precaution to ensure a safe passage. Often, a slip and fall accident will occur because of a negligent private or commercial property owner. When the property is owned by a municipality, the situation is much different. Like any property owner, a municipality should be regularly monitoring public walking surfaces and clearing any hazard that may put people in danger. Some of the many hazards include potholes and other surface issues, slippery and dangerous substances, loose debris, and unattended weather conditions. If you suffer from a serious injury and can prove that a municipality knew or should have reasonably known about the condition, you may be entitled to damages. Our firm has over 25 years of experience guiding clients through the complex undertaking of bring a lawsuit to a municipality. These matters are time-sensitive and come with a high legal standard. If you need our assistance, contact The Law Office of Andrew S. Maze, Esq. in Woodbridge, NJ.
What Is a Premises Liability Accident?
A premises liability accident occurs when a property owner fails to maintain safe conditions for visitors, tenants, or customers. Dangerous stairways, wet floors, poor lighting, broken sidewalks, loose handrails, and icy walkways can all lead to serious injuries. In New Jersey, property owners have a legal duty to address known hazards and provide reasonably safe conditions. An experienced slip & fall accident attorney can evaluate whether negligence contributed to your injuries and determine the best course of legal action.
Evidence
In New Jersey, the victim of the personal injury case has the burden of proof. This means that the injured party needs to demonstrate that their injury was serious and was caused by the negligence of the other party. If your municipality should have known about the hazard or already knew and did nothing to fix the problem, you may have a valid case.
After the accident
Seek medical attention before you do anything. A medical professional will document some of the aspects of the incident. If you can, take pictures of the hazard that caused your injury. If you noticed that someone saw your slip and fall, ask them for some information in case you need to contact them in the future. If you cannot act for yourself, contact our firm to send a representative to act in your stead. Many of these hazards will be gone within a few hours, so act quickly.
How Can Legal Representation Help?
Property accident claims often involve insurance companies attempting to minimize liability. Andrew S. Maze works to investigate accident scenes, gather evidence, review maintenance records, and establish negligence. Liability may fall on property owners, landlords, business operators, maintenance companies, or other responsible parties, depending on the circumstances.
Victims may be eligible to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care
- Loss of quality of life
New Jersey also follows comparative negligence laws, meaning injured parties may still recover compensation even if they were partially responsible for the accident.
How municipal lawsuits differ in New Jersey
Suing a private or commercial property owner is much different than suing a municipality. Firstly, the process must follow a strict set of guidelines and meet the legal standard to constitute a personal injury claim. According to Title 59, New Jersey allows for lawsuits based on personal injury matters. Aside from collecting evidence and proving negligence, you will have only 90 days from the incident to file a Notice of Claim. If New Jersey agrees that your claim is valid and that it was caused by the negligence of one of its actors, you will be compensated for your injuries.
Contact a Middlesex County municipal slip and fall accident attorney
Bringing a lawsuit to a municipal entity seems straightforward but truly needs the legal support of a passionate, skilled, and experienced attorney. If you have been injured by the negligence of a municipality, you need to consider your legal rights immediately. If you need a law firm to assess your situation, guide you through your legal options, and passionately represent your needs, contact The Law Office of Andrew S. Maze, Esq. for a free initial consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property?
Seek medical attention immediately, report the accident to the property owner or manager, take photos of the hazardous condition, gather witness information, and keep all medical records and receipts related to the injury.
How can a Middlesex County property accident attorney help with my case?
An attorney can investigate the accident, collect evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and help pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages caused by unsafe property conditions.
What is considered a premises liability accident in New Jersey?
A premises liability accident happens when someone is injured due to dangerous or poorly maintained property conditions, such as wet floors, broken stairs, uneven sidewalks, inadequate lighting, or icy walkways.
Who can be held responsible for injuries on unsafe property?
Depending on the circumstances, liability may fall on property owners, landlords, business owners, property managers, maintenance companies, or other parties responsible for maintaining safe conditions.
What types of compensation can I recover after a property accident?
Injured victims may recover compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, pain and suffering, future medical treatment, and reduced quality of life.
How do I prove negligence in a premises liability case?
To prove negligence, you must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to correct it or provide proper warning.
Can I file a claim if I slipped on snow or ice in New Jersey?
Yes. Property owners may be held liable if they failed to remove snow reasonably or ice, or failed to address dangerous winter conditions within a reasonable timeframe.
How long do I have to file a property accident lawsuit in New Jersey?
In most cases, New Jersey law gives injured individuals two years from the date of the accident to file a premises liability lawsuit.
What evidence should I collect after a property accident?
Helpful evidence includes photographs of the scene, medical records, witness contact information, incident reports, surveillance footage, and documentation of expenses related to the injury.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes. Under New Jersey’s comparative negligence laws, you may still recover compensation if you were partially responsible, although your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.